REDS powerplay erupts in 6-1 win over Huskies

HALIFAX, NS- The UNB REDS scored five powerplay goals, helping them defeat the Saint Mary's Huskies 6-1 on Friday night at the Dauphinee Centre in Halifax.

It was a battle of two of the top ranked teams in U SPORTS, with the #3 REDS taking on the #9 Huskies. Both teams were without three key players who are currently representing Canada at the 2023 FISU Winter Games in Lake Placid, NY – Huskies forward Andrew Coxhead (Bedford, NS), defenceman Justin MacPherson (East Gwillimbury, ON), and Matt Welsh (Halifax, NS), and REDS forwards Brady Gilmour (Grafton, ON), Austen Keating (Guelph, ON) and defenceman Adam McCormick (Waterville, NB), as well as REDS head coach Gardiner MacDougall.

Just 18 seconds into the first period, the Huskies would get a powerplay opportunity as REDS captain Jason Willms (Kitchener, ON) was sent to the box, but Saint Mary's was only able to get two attempts on goal, both stopped by goaltender Samuel Richard (Ste. Catherine, QC).

A few minutes later the REDS league-leading powerplay would get their chance, and made no mistake, as defenceman Ross MacDougall (St. Stephen, NB) received a pass from Benjamin Corbeil (Granby, QC) and fired it past Huskies goaltender Jeremy Helvig (Kingston, ON) for his third goal of the season, putting the visitors up 1-0 just 5:59 into the first period.

The REDS would double their lead just a few minutes later, as forward Michael Petizian (Mississauga, ON) and defenceman Kale McCallum (Rothesay, NB) broke out on a two-on-one, with Petizian finishing off a nice give-and-go for his seventh of the season, giving UNB a 2-0 lead with 9:36 remaining in the first period.

UNB's league-leading powerplay continued to prove deadly as they received a two-man advantage towards the end of the period, and McCallum finished off a nice passing play for his first AUS goal with just 39 seconds remaining in the first.

The REDS outshot the Huskies 27-6 through the first period and took a 3-0 lead into the second. Despite the score, Huskies goaltender Jeremy Helvig was excellent with 24 saves.

Early in the second the Huskies would get their third powerplay of the night, but the advantage was nullified when Sam King (Hampton, NB) was sent to the penalty box. After the REDS penalty expired, it wasn't long before they added to the scoreboard with MacDougall scoring his second powerplay tally of the night, extending the visitors lead to 4-0.

The REDS outshot the Huskies 11-7 in the second period, and took a 4-0 lead into the third.

Early in the third period, the REDS received another powerplay opportunity, but this time it was the Huskies who would take advantage, as forward Joel Bishop (St. John's, NL) broke in on goal and deked by Richard for a shorthanded beauty, cutting the REDS lead to 4-1.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Joel Bishop with shorthanded beauty to cut the REDS lead to 4-1.

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— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 21, 2023

Just 1:30 later, the REDS capitalized on the man-advantage for the fourth time as they cycled the puck around the Huskies zone before forward Cole MacKay (Sault Ste. Marie, ON) shot it past Helvig to restore the four goal lead.

The REDS fifth and final powerplay goal came with just over three minutes remaining in regulation, as forward Camaryn Baber (Sault Ste. Marie, ON) received a pass from Emmett Sproule (Collingwood, ON) and wired a shot past Helvig to make it 6-1, which would remain the final score.

The REDS outshot the Huskies 24-4 in the third period, giving them an eye-popping 62-17 advantage for the game. REDS goaltender Samuel Richard (Ste. Catherine, QC) stopped 16 saves for the win, while Huskies goaltender Jeremy Helvig made a remarkable 56 saves in the loss.

REDS defenceman Ross MacDougall was named Subway Player of the Game with two powerplay goals, and six shots on goal. McCallum (one goal, one assist), and Cody Morgan (two assists) also recorded multi-point nights for the REDS.

The REDS win improves their record to 18-3-1-1 on the season. They'll be back on the road tomorrow, as they take on the Acadia Axemen at 7 p.m. in Wolfville, NS.

The Huskies second straight loss drops their record to 14-9-0 overall. They'll be back on home ice tomorrow, hosting the Moncton Aigles Bleus at 7 p.m. at the Dauphinee Centre. GET TICKETS

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Matthew Frenette / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics